30 December 2008
Addis Ababa — Influential historian and acclaimed scholar Professor Merid W. Aregay passed away yesterday at the age of 74 at the Black Lion Hospital where he was being treated for his illness the past month, sources told The Daily Monitor.
The veteran historian and acclaimed scholar Merid has served the history department of the Addis Ababa University (AAU) for about 40 years, and has authored several books and countless research articles which contributed greatly to the Ethiopian literature in the field.
Professor Merid was educated at the Harvard and Chicago Universities in the United States.
He did his PhD in history and education at the University of London, School of Oriental and African studies.
Professor Merid retired from active teaching at the AAU in 2000.
"Professor Merid was the leading and untiring intellectual who served his country relentlessly," the professor's long-time friend and fellow historian Dr. Tekalign told The Daily Monitor by phone.
"He was a great scholar who contributed a lot to the university and the country in a varity of missions," Dr. Tekalign added.
Professor Merid was best known for his controversial research article on the origin of coffee.
He believed that "coffee drinking seems to have originated in Yaman, probably in the fifteenth century." He is survived by his wife and two sons and a daughter who, according to sources close to the family, are also all highly educated and in reputable professions.
Professor Merid will be buried today at the Yeka St Michael Church in Addis Ababa.
Senior government officials, academics and a large number of friends and relatives are expected to attend the burials.
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